THOUSANDS turned out for the 43rd popular Redcar Boxing Day Dip.

This year about 500 people of all ages were registered to take part, from across Teesside and beyond.

The event was blessed with fine, mild weather yesterday as dippers from age 12 to their late eighties took to the sea.

Organiser Margaret Morrell, 54, of Acklam, Middlesbrough, said all funds raised - many thousands of pounds - will go to local charities.

Margaret said: “This is a tremendous and very popular event. Two thirds of the sponsorship cash will go to chosen local charities such as Zoe’s Place, soccer teams and local good causes.

“The remaining third comes back to the Lions and the Rotary club of Redcar, who will distribute the funds throughout the coming year to worthy local causes.

“The dip is a fantastic Teesside tradition and we are so grateful to the many local organisations which back it such as the RNLI, St John Ambulance, Redcar Sea Cadets, Redcar and Cleveland Council and many volunteers.”

Many hundreds of spectators lined the processional route from the Livery, where registration took place, on the high street, down to the slipway at the seafront.

Fancy dress was in abundance. Self described “Sexy Santas” Cleveland PC Amara Edmonds, 36, and pal Hazel Micallef, 30, a hairstylist, both from Stockton, were raising cash for Daisy Chain. Amara said: “It’s the first dip for both of us.

“It’s milder than it has been for some years apparently, but it’s still cold!”

Superman Richard North, 23, an HGV fitter, of Skelton, said: “I’m raising funds for Cancer Research. It’s my first Boxing Day Dip - I just want to get on with it!”

Giles Bolitho, president of Middlesbrough/Teesside Lions and event manager, said: “We’re hoping to raise in excess of £15,000 this year overall.

“This event goes from strength to strength.”

Four members of the community cardiac team at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust also braved the elements. Janine O’Rourke, Ros Palmer, Carolyn Gate and Bronya Bennison, who all run the cardiac rehabilitation phase 3 classes at Fitness Connexion in Hartlepool, took part in the annual Boxing Day dip at Seaton Carew.

Coronary heart disease specialist nurse Janine said the money would be used for heart monitors. “The response in the classes has been brilliant, everyone wants to sponsor us!” she said. If you want to sponsor the girls, call Janine on 01429 285041.

Ian Richardson, of Billingham, who lost his wife and daughter in a horrific car accident, said 60 people did the dip at Seaton Carew for the Jo & Mya Memorial Fund. As we reported, tragedy struck two years ago when Ian’s six-year-old daughter Mya and wife Joanne, 40, died when their car, driven by Ian, was hit by another travelling the wrong way down the A1 southbound carriageway. Ian and his other daughter, Ava, now two, survived.

Ian, 39, of Blake Close, Billingham, said: “Three Olympic torch bearers complete with torches also did the event and one of the torches was lit as dippers headed down into the sea.”

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